A new generation of “Service Schools” staffed entirely by former members of
the Armed Forces could be set up across Britain under Labour plans to raise
education standards, it has emerged.

A Labour policy paper suggests establishing the schools in every English region – and winning support for the plan from devolved governments – as part of a move to improve standards of discipline and promote a culture of hard work among pupils.

The proposal forms part of a radical plan designed to harness the “ethos and standards of our Armed Forces” in the state education system.

The Party is also proposing a huge expansion of Combined Cadet Forces (CCF) in schools and setting up a specialist “mentoring” scheme in which ex-servicemen are drafted into the classroom to act as role models to difficult pupils.

In a document, Labour said this was “currently a feature of many private schools” and could be put to real benefit in the state system.

The move is likely to be opposed by teaching unions who have criticised previous attempts to create closer links between schools and the military.

This includes Coalition attempts to fast-track former members of the Army, Navy and RAF into teacher training. Ministers insist they have also invested cash in mentor programmes for former soldiers and expanded CCF units.

But senior members of the shadow cabinet claimed the present Government’s plans had either failed to deliver or “lapsed into populist, disciplinarian sentiment”.

Stephen Twigg, the Shadow Education Secretary, and Jim Murphy, Shadow Defence Secretary, said the new proposals were “not about creating 'boot camps', nor are they about recruitment”.

Writing on Tuesday in The Daily Telegraph, they said: “The ethos and values of the Services can be significant not just on the battlefield but across our society, including in schools.

“Veterans and reservists can be great role models.

“The values of responsibility, comradeship, hard work and a respect for public service are embodied in our Armed Forces.

“The ‘Service ethos’ emphasises the importance of character formation and high ethical standards, as well as the development of crucial skills such as team-working.”

A review set up by Labour to shape future policy ideas suggests establishing dozens of “Service Schools” as the centrepiece of a closer relationship between the Armed Forces and education system.

These schools would employ qualified teachers who had served as regular or reserve members of the forces, the document said.

Labour would establish one of these in each English region and encourage devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to adopt the model.

The Party insisted the schools would not be primarily aimed at children with discipline problems, although they would be mainly established in poorer areas to provide an alternative to conventional state schools.

They would be modelled on the Duke of York’s Royal Military School in Dover, which specialises in science, sport, physical and outdoor education, and is also trialling a BTEC qualification in “Military Music”.

The document added that the ethos of the Armed Forces can "promote improved discipline, attainment and social mobility".

In a further disclosure, it emerged that the Party is considering an expansion of CCFs in state schools.

Last year, 257 CCF contingents were established in British schools, but more than two-thirds were in the private sector.

Writing in the Telegraph, Mr Twigg and Mr Murphy said: “We would like to see the proportion in state schools increase and would support greater partnering between schools which have a cadet force and state schools which don’t, but want one.”

A Department for Education spokesman said: “We’re already working to bring ethos and talents from Armed Forces into our education system to help raise standards.

“Through our £1.5m grant to the charity SkillForce, an extra 100 ex-service personnel are already making a valuable contribution as mentors for young people in challenging schools and communities across England.

"Our Troops to Teachers programme is focussing on helping those leaving the armed services, with the potential to become great teachers, to make the transition to the classroom. We’ve also just announced a massive £10.85m expansion of the state school-based cadets – around 100 more units by 2015.

“We are also looking at other way in which pupils can benefit, such as through schools or alternative provision with a distinct military ethos.”